The Combine begins this week in Indianapolis and there are plenty of prospects to keep an eye on as the week begins.
The Patriots have multiple needs so what we have done is identified their top five needs and based this list on who could be available at Pick 14 of the first round.
Here are 25 players to watch this weekend.
Peter Skronski, OT, Northwestern: Skronski could be the Patriots top offensive lineman on their board and will be a player worth watching this weekend. Arm length aside, Skronski is an experienced, clean prospect who can step in and play from day one.
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia: Athletic with long arms and an ability to play in space. Jones could be available to the Patriots at 14 but could very well be gone based on how he performs this week and at his pro day.
Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse: Versatile and athletic, Bergeron can play guard or tackle in the NFL. Right now he projects as a day two pick but a strong showing at the combine could elevate him into the bottom of the first round. A player to watch if the Patriots trade down or look to take an offensive lineman in day two.
Blake Freeland, OT, BYU: Freeland profiles more as a right tackle, a position the Patriots need to address. Classic lengthy tackle who moves well at times on tape but can also be stiff. A player to watch in drills. He is a mid-round possibility for the Patriots.
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State: Recorded the longest wingspan in the history of the Senior Bowl. A more athletic version of Trent Brown who with a strong showing this weekend and a good pro day could find himself in the first round.
Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State: One of my favorite players in this draft. Looking forward to seeing how he tests and drills. Can play both tackle spots and guard. A player to watch for day two. The expectation is the Patriots will take a lineman at some point in the first three rounds, Mauch could be on their radar.
Travis Dye, RB, USC: Dye was highly productive at Oregon and while the didn’t produce at that level at USC, he is a prospect worth watching because he could be a day three option for the Patriots as a third down back.
Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan: Bell should test well and when his route running ability and strong hands, he is a player to watch for the Patriots in day three. If Bell runs well, he is a player that could go higher than expected. Right now he looks like he could land anywhere between the 3rd and 5th rounds.
Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston: A draftnik delight, Dell is another player who the Patriots like but they may have to overspend for him if he tests well this weekend and wraps it all up with a strong pro day.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College: Flowers is the best receiver in the draft in my opinion and is a sure fire first round pick. I think he will test well. I don’t think he is in play for the Patriots unless they take him at 14 or trade down and take him in the twenties. Either way, Flowers will put on a show this week and further enhance his stock.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee: Tillman is a day two prospect who is coming off injury. Prior to getting hurt, he was arguably Tennessee’s best receiver. At 6-3 215, he has the size and the athleticism to start on Sundays. Keep an eye on him this weekend as a possible Patriots target.
Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama: Tight end is not a position of need for the Patriots but I suspect they will draft one. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien coached Latu at Alabama and knows him as a player. If the testing numbers and pro day results match up, he will be a player the Patriots could target late day two, early day three.
Will Mallory, TE, Miami (Fla): I am a big Will Mallory fan. I think he is a Y all day at the next level. If he tests well, his stock will rise. Another possible Patriots target. Reminds me of Hunter Henry because of his athleticism and formation flexibility.
Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa: Van Ness should test well and while he doesn’t exactly profile as the prototypical Patriots defensive end, his ability to anchor down versus the run and consistently rush the passer makes him a player to watch this week.
Andre Carter, OLB, Army: Carter should make quite an impression this weekend. He is long, explosive and athletic. If Carter’s testing numbers can match what’s on tape, he is a first round talent. A sleeper prospect worth keeping an eye on as a possible first round option for the Patriots.
Brenton Cox, EDGE, Florida: The Patriots coaching staff spent a lot of time with Cox at the East-West Shrine game. They like his length and versatility. Now they want to see how he tests. A player to watch because he could be a day three selection by New England.
Byron Young, DT, Alabama: The Alabama connection matters to Belichick and you know he loves to stockpile defensive lineman. Young played in multiple fronts at Alabama and is scheme versatile. He is quick and can play all along the line of scrimmage. If the athleticism is there, he is another player the Patriots will take a long look at this weekend and in April.
Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue: Another player the Patriots worked out and evaluated at the East-West Shrine game. Linebacker is a need area so the Patriots will be watching the position closely. A little undersized at 6-3 220, but he can certainly put on weight and get bigger.
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois: Long, lean corner who profiles as a boundary corner. The Patriots have struggled to defend X receivers the last few years. Witherspoon could be a possibility for them at Pick 14 in the first round. That is assuming he is still there. A good weekend in Indy could really boost his stock.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss St: Forbes body of work speaks for itself. He had six pick six touchdowns during his career at Mississippi State. If the size and athleticism show up in his test results, he will be a player the Patriots take a long look at in round two.
Jordan Battle, S, Alabama: Battle isn’t as well regarded as his teammate Brian Branch but he is a similar player. Can play at all three levels in all situations. This weekend is big for Battle. If he tests well, his stock could soar. A day two possibility for the Patriots.
Brian Branch, S, Alabama: A strong weekend in Indianapolis could solidify Branch’s status as a top 20 pick in the draft. The Patriots will be keeping a close eye on him all weekend. Taking him at 14 is a possibility. His athleticism, versatility and physicality pop on tape. A strong weekend on the field will only add to his reputation as one of the best players in this draft.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU: Tomlinson could play in the slot or cover flankers depending on the personnel. He had a terrific season and now will look to elevate his draft stock with a good weekend in Indianapolis. Another player the Patriots will be watching closely.
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: The son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is one of the cleanest and safest players in this draft. A plug and play starter from day one. Lineage does matter to Belichick so with a strong combine, Porter could be in play at pick 14.
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina: Long and lean, Smith is a first round talent and could be a possibility for the Patriots at 14 or if they trade down. He is athletic and can match up as a boundary corner. He is exactly what New England needs right now at the position. Keep an eye on him.